Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto.
This story kinda sucks as of right now. Though, I hope you'll bear with it... but I don't think I'll update as much as I hope to, for now anyway. Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
In one large exhale, I sluggishly throw my kunai to the side. I'm not frustrated – no, but there's this sinking feeling within me that only gets deeper with each passing day. As I slide down the door, my hands cup my face as I try fruitlessly to prevent any spillage of tears. Fruitlessly.
Another unsuccessful mission in which mainly Naruto and I attempt to bring Sasuke back to the one place he can call home, regardless of what he says. The image of him standing before us defiantly will forever be etched in my brain. His tortured mind where tempests rage.
"Ah, Sakura-chan!" The boisterous, blonde boy boomed with his lightly tanned hand cupping his mouth as if trying to increase the volume of his calls. Even from a distance, my smile goes noticed. I watch him bound over to me like an energetic puppy, seemingly forgetting the mission that passed a few days ago – on the outside, anyway.
"Good afternoon, Naruto," I smile sweetly as I twirl a section of my pink hair around my index finger. His warm smile does actually lift my spirits a bit too, considering he's always so optimistic and it usually passes to those around him like some valuable virus.
"Ugly," Sai acknowledges with a polite smile. Instead of ruining my day already, I merely return his greeting with another smile, though Naruto twitches.
"Come on, now... We're going to have to work together in this mission if we're going to accomplish it," Yamato said with confidence, yet leaving out the fact that they failed their previous one. This one was only a simple C-rank mission of finding out information of a possible threat to the village, but there was always the possibility of an underlying threat or surprise attack. The first legitimate mission of the original Team 7 was a prime example of that. "Let's get going?" Naruto nodded in agreement, though there was a look of disdain upon his features.
The walk through the forest was dreary and slightly unnerving. Our destination was only at the outskirts of Konoha, so it didn't take too long, but I couldn't shrug this feeling that we were being watched, though I sensed no chakra, – they had probably hidden it – nor did the rest of my team. We kept quiet and listened out for the slightest hint of movement in our surroundings, weapons at the ready.
"Hn." With a smirk, the raven-haired male silently leapt from tree-to-tree. He was alone this time; Suigestu, Juugo and most definitely Karin would prove themselves to be nuisances. With his Sharingan turned on, Sasuke crept closer to his ex-friends as they advanced in their tracks. They seemed oblivious, yet even he wouldn't doubt that they were cautious. 'All in due time...' he muttered to himself as he closed his eyes with a smirk.
"Sai," Yamato started in a whisper, "scout the area." The artist quickly followed the command by pulling out his drawing pad and sketching quickly. Moments later a beautiful bird graced the skies with Sai aboard.
"Hey, Yamato, why would someone be stalking us on such a simple mission like this...?" Naruto enquired with a hint of uncertainty as his azure eyes quickly shot to the side at the sound of a falling branch. Yamato's dark eyes peered in the same direction, as did mine.
"Seems like someone wants to keep an eye on us – just in case we dig too deep," he replied, his stance now becoming relaxed. "I wouldn't worry about it. They're obviously skilled shinobi if they can hide their chakra, but I doubt we're going to be ambushed." The man sighed lightly and rubbed the back of his neck, impatiently waiting for the return of Sai. "That's not to say that possibility is ruled out, though."
He wasn't going to jump out on them and perform a surprise attack. Not on all of them, anyway – or yet. His appearance was only to evaluate and estimate her return. His crimson eyes shifted up to spot the bird and ninja scouring the forest floor and took that as his cue to leave, with a smirk, of course.
The rest of the mission went well and ended in a success. Turns out it was just a false alarm and that such threats of an attack on the village were merely rumours. Though, in accomplishing this mission, it left a glimmer of hope for future ones. I didn't care if it was just a measly C-rank, because just knowing that you can fulfil your duty as a loyal shinobi gave you a boost in your confidence as well as your happiness. Naruto was coping pretty well... The uneasiness around him could still be felt though he tried desperately to hide it and put on that same façade that fools everyone. Only those who truly understand him will be able to see through his act. Unfortunately I couldn't say Sasuke was one of those people.
When we returned to the village, all I wanted was to rest. My head was throbbing and an overwhelming amount of lethargy enveloped me, so I cut to the chase and quickly said my goodbyes with no real sense of disappointment as I knew I'd be seeing them soon. However, Naruto insisted on walking me back to my house and we both knew that he wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Sakura-chan," he started, seemingly ready to start a heart-to-heart, "about Sasuke...-" No, no, no. Not now... I had to cut him off.
"Naruto. I'm just as every bit as upset as you about what happened, but...-" The favour was returned.
"Do you think that was him?" ...Huh? What brought this on? I gulped. My eyes blinked slowly as I scanned the ground as if searching for answers. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. The only thing I could do was peer up at his despaired face and that look of complete and utter hurt made my heart clench. "There was someone watching us today, Sakura. We all know it," his voice suddenly became strong and it made me want to believe every word he spoke. "but do you think it was him?" I shook my head, eyes slipping closed.
"Why would he of all people be watching us, Naruto?" It was a reasonable question. Why would the Uchiha be watching us? He's always trying so hard – and succeeding – to avoid us. My question was answered with the lowering of his gaze and a light shake of his head. "Another question is: what makes you think it was him?" He looked up at me again.
"I just... felt it," he whispered. We came to a halt as we stood outside of my front door. I was thankful as there was an awkward silence that fell upon us as I struggled to find a suitable reply to his statement.
"I'll speak to you tomorrow about it, right? Just go rest and clear your head, Naruto," I told him gently as my hand cupped the door handle. "Don't bash yourself up about this. Please..." He muttered something lowly that I didn't manage to pick up and pulled a forced smile before turning away with a wave.
Night had fallen, and as I frustratedly toss and turn upon my bed, my mind constantly drifts of back to Naruto. Dammit, why did the boy have to get so pent-up about this? Worrying about Naruto and this dull, persistent ache in my head was proving to have some effect on my being as I weakly shuffled to the kitchen to get myself a glass of water in a bid to somehow ease my suffering.
… But there's that feeling again.
I drop the rim of the cup from my lips to set it down on the table, quietly, alert...
"Sasuke...?" No reply.
This was stupid. There was no way for Sasu- anyone to get in without me knowing. Besides, even if someone did come in, I'd send their sorry ass straight to hell AND back. Though, staying on the safe side, double checking to see if all doors were locked would do me no harm, but there was no shaking this eerie atmosphere which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand upright. Coward...
I grasped the door handle-
"Sakura."
That voice. Suddenly I washed with an overwhelming tide of anguish, anger and undeniable fear. As much as I wanted to turn around and stare at him until I felt content in knowing that he was actually here, I couldn't bring myself to move. I was frozen in his icy glare.
"Hn", was all he said with a hint of amusement as his footsteps echoed the hallway from colliding with the wooden flooring as I remained still, hand still clutching the doorknob.
A heavy hand fell on my shoulder and his presence seemed to fill up the whole of my home. "Stop acting so pitiful, Sakura. You and I both know that you're just putting this on," the obsidian avenger muttered lowly, as if taking some twisted enjoyment out of my … fear. The hand tightens around my shoulder before spinning me around harshly. Those eyes: complete and utter hatred. I found myself looking up into his crimson orbs like a deer caught in headlights, my mouth hanging open a little as he maintained his stoic persona.
"S- Sasu...ke..."
